A Frozen Heart

by Elizabeth Rudnick

  Reaching the end of the hall, Anna turned left and then right and then right again. Every hall she turned down was full of people and every door she passed was open. I didn’t think we had this many rooms, Anna thought as she passed by another grand chamber. Inside she could make out a maid humming to herself as she dusted a long-neglected piano. Anna laughed. This was all so incredible. It was as though people and rooms had just miraculously appeared.

  If only every day could be like this one, Anna thought as she ran down the stairs of the grand entrance. At the bottom she grabbed the railing, narrowly avoiding slamming into a man precariously balancing at least twenty dinner plates. And behind that man were dozens more! Who knew we had, like, eight thousand dinner plates? Anna thought. Who knew we knew eight thousand people! Most days, the only two people Anna saw were Gerda and Kai. But today every room seemed to be filled with people hard at work.

  Anna stopped short, a sudden horrible thought coming to her. What if she had to remember the names of all those people? She was horrible at remembering—anything. People’s names, countries, historical facts, the name of her favorite flower…

  No! Anna told herself. There is no way I will need to remember all those names. That’s Elsa’s job. One perk of being the younger sister is I just get to meet them and have fun. I can have my cake and eat it, too!

  Before she knew it, Anna was at the castle’s main doors. Eagerly, she pushed them open. In front of her, the gates were open, revealing the courtyard beyond. Anna put a hand to her heart. “Beyond those doors lies my future,” she whispered. “So what am I waiting for?” Breaking into a run, Anna burst into the sunshine, ready for her adventure to begin.

  HANS LOOKED OVER the bow of the ship and smiled. He had made it! In a little over an hour, his ship would dock in Arendelle’s port and he, Hans Westergaard, thirteenth and youngest son of the king of the Southern Isles, would finally have a chance to make a name for himself. He would become the next king of Arendelle—or at least that was the plan.

  Getting to this point had not been easy. It had taken nearly three years to convince the king that he was responsible enough to be the representative to Arendelle when the time came. And when, at long last, news arrived that Princess Elsa was to be crowned queen of Arendelle, Hans knew his time had come. All the begging, pleading, and generally making himself a lapdog to his father to procure a spot as the representative would pay off. So what if he had never told his father the true reason he wanted to go to Arendelle? He wanted to surprise everyone. He would show his father and his brothers and all of the Southern Isles that they had grossly underestimated him.

  For the past three years, Hans had ingratiated himself to his father. Whatever the man needed, Hans did. From the dirtiest of tasks to the most mindless of errands. He had been sent among the isles to deliver wedding invitations for one of the twins, who had met and wooed a young lady in record time. I still don’t know how Runo did it, Hans thought now. My new sister-in-law seemed so much smarter than to fall for his smarmy charms. Hans shrugged. Even now, when he had been given a role of some honor, he couldn’t let go of the bitterness of his past. But never mind that, he thought. I’ll show them soon enough….

  Hans might have spent much of his time doing only what his father asked, but he was smart. He knew that if he was to get what he wanted, he needed to take initiative. He needed to make himself the most knowledgeable man in the Southern Isles about the kingdom of Arendelle. He needed to be the preeminent authority on the ins and outs of Arendelle’s customs and learn the proper ways to pay respect to their queen on her coronation day. He knew none of his brothers would take the time, and his father’s current ambassador was old and gassy. Not someone who should be seen as the sole representative of the Southern Isles. So in between his tasks, and with Lars’s help, Hans had done hours and hours of research on Arendelle and its soon-to-be queen, Elsa.

  There were plenty of old texts that told of Arendelle in general. Hans had learned that it was a beautiful kingdom with a peaceful history. Nestled at the base of a high range of mountains, it was safe from invasions. The only way into the kingdom was by sea. The ports of Arendelle were known for their fair trade, and the kingdom, while not exceedingly rich, was quite comfortable. The queen would want for nothing. If what Hans had seen in the books was true, the kingdom was a place where darkness and evil were not known.

  Elsa, however, Hans thought as the ship sailed closer and closer to port, was still a mystery. There wasn’t even a picture of her. For all Hans knew, she could be eight feet tall. Or bald. Or have a fanatical interest in rock collecting. The only thing he had learned for sure was what Lars had told him that long ago day: she never left the castle. Ever.

  No matter what sort of queen lay in wait for him inside Arendelle’s castle, Hans knew he would find a way to become her king. He had worked too hard for there to be any other outcome.

  Hans remembered the day he had received news that Princess Elsa was finally to be crowned queen. He had just returned from a rather unpleasant visit to a village late on paying its taxes. It was time to give the king a full report.

  “Father,” Hans had greeted the king, bowing his head. “The village has been warned and their punishment completed. I don’t think you should have any problems with them in the future.”

  “And what of their taxes? Were you able to collect?”

  Hans suppressed a shudder. “From most of them, yes. The ones who could not provide what they owed…paid in other ways.” Hans dropped a bag of coins in front of his father. “This is the money. The other…payment…I disposed of.” Bile had risen in his throat as he thought about the “payment.” Still, he had done what he had to do.

  “Thank you, Hans,” the king had replied.

  As always, his eyes were distant. But this time, Hans couldn’t help noticing that the man’s tone wasn’t as cold or dismissive. Perhaps this was his chance?

  “Father?” Hans had begun, hesitant. The king raised an eyebrow. “I have taken it upon myself to put together a list of potential issues that need to be discussed with the new queen of Arendelle after her coronation. I have spoken to several people recently back from trips to the kingdom, and it is said she will only open the gates for twenty-four hours. Initiating any new agreements and negotiation of terms must be done during that time. I know that you are far too busy to go yourself, what with Prince Runo getting married soon and the arrival of another grandchild. And I know my presence is not required at either of the events….” He paused, hoping his father might actually disagree. But his father didn’t say a word. So Hans went on. “I thought it only fitting that I make the trip to Princess Elsa’s coronation as the representative of the Southern Isles.”

  Reaching into his jacket pocket, Hans had pulled out a detailed scroll, complete with talking points and a clear itinerary. He held it out to his father.

  Taking the paper in his hand, the king studied it for a moment. Then he looked up at Hans. “I’m surprised by your interest in such a small, distant kingdom.”

  “Well, Father, as you always say, a kingdom is only as strong as its allies. I thought it best to ensure an alliance with Arendelle.”

  His father looked thoughtful. “And you feel confident you know what needs to be done?” he asked.

  Hans nodded.

  “Well, then,” the king said, shrugging. “I don’t see why it should not be you. You have shown me you can be responsible, and I shouldn’t have need for your ‘services’ in the near future if you have done your job well. Take a small ship and your favorite horse and make your way to Arendelle. Secure a new trade agreement and ensure a strong alliance.”

  “Yes, Father,” Hans said, barely keeping the excitement from his voice.

  “When the gates close, return home immediately,” the king finished. “I’m sure they’ll have need of you in the nursery by that point. Your brothers and their wives have quite the habit of reproducing.” Then, without another word of good-bye, the king had turned
and left.

  For an instant, Hans had been too stunned to do anything. In one moment he had been told he could go after what he wanted, and in the next he had been cut down. It was so typical of his father. But so what if his father thought little of him now? So what if he only had twenty-four hours to accomplish his goal? He would surprise everyone, show his father and his brothers what sort of man he truly was.

  Now, as Hans’s ship docked next to one of the long piers that jutted into the water surrounding Arendelle, he let out a breath it felt like he had been holding since leaving the Southern Isles. All he had to do now was find Princess Elsa and get her to fall in love with him. How hard could that be?

  As it turned out, finding Princess Elsa proved harder than Hans had anticipated. After disembarking the ship and taking a few minutes—well, more than a few minutes if he was honest—to get his land legs back, Hans had mounted his horse and headed into town.

  For some reason, Hans had assumed that the town would be quiet in the hours leading up to the big event. He had been wrong. Very, very wrong. It seemed every inhabitant of Arendelle, plus representatives from every kingdom near and far, had packed themselves into the village at the base of the castle. Looking around, Hans saw that the kingdom was as picture-perfect as the books he had read suggested. In the distance, he could see the peak of a snowcapped mountain, but down in the town it was warm. The air smelled of an intoxicating combination of fir trees and sea, the result of the massive forest that lay just behind the kingdom and the water that stretched out in front. Children raced about, their faces glowing, while their parents shopped or gossiped or sold their wares. The streets were clean and the houses well cared for. It was, in a word, lovely. Ruling over this kingdom would not be a terrible job at all.

  But as Hans carefully maneuvered his horse, Sitron, between a cart full of eggplants and another cart filled with what looked like bouquets made out of fish, he began to doubt himself. Did I honestly think I was just going to walk into town and bump right into Princess Elsa? She is probably locked inside getting ready, not out wandering the streets looking for love….

  “Hello, Princess! How wonderful to see you outside the castle gates!”

  A woman’s voice cut through the crowd and Hans pulled back on his reins, stopping Sitron. Princess? Had he heard right?

  “It is so wonderful to see you, Princess. It’s been too long!”

  It seemed he had! Whipping Sitron around, Hans searched the crowd for the source of the comments. Suddenly, he caught sight of a red-and-green flash. A moment later, a young woman bounced into view. She was laughing at something an older fruit peddler had said as she paused to inspect the apples on his cart. Nudging Sitron forward, Hans got a little closer and tried to listen in without being seen.

  “This is the prettiest, greenest apple I’ve ever seen, sir! You must bring some up to the castle so Cook can use them in her pies!”

  “Oh, Princess!” the old man said, his wrinkled cheeks flushing as though he were a schoolboy. “You are too kind! I’ll go straightaway. And here, take this apple…on me! Enjoy!”

  THIS is Elsa? Hans thought as he watched the girl take a bite and continue making her way through the town. Everywhere she went she was stopped by one person or another, and each time, she greeted them with a warm smile and a bit of conversation. Following her, Hans couldn’t help being impressed. True, she seemed almost like a newborn colt, all legs and a little awkward, but she was actually rather, well, pretty. Her reddish-gold hair was pulled back from her face, and he could just make out a few freckles on her pale skin. Her eyes were lively, and when she laughed, it was contagious. I wonder why the only thing I could find about Elsa said she was a recluse. She seems anything but. Hans shrugged. What did it matter? So the book was wrong. And if this was the woman he wanted to woo and wed, well, Hans could imagine much worse options.

  But in order for that to happen, Hans had to make an impression. And it seemed now was as good a time as any. He needed to make this good. He needed to seem heroic and poised and powerful all at the same time. How am I going to do that? It’s not like I can ride in and save the day like in all those silly fairy tales.…Or can I?

  Noticing that the princess was standing precariously close to the side of a boat that was precariously close to the side of the dock, Hans had an idea. He waited for the princess to turn her back to him. Then, nudging Sitron into place right behind the girl, he waited. From what he had seen so far, the princess was rather…effusive…in her movements. She was bound to swing around at any moment, and when she did—

  As if on cue, the princess whipped around, her mouth open as if she were ready to burst into song. Instead, she burst right into Sitron’s chest! Startled, she let out a cry and stepped back. But the boat was in her way and she toppled into it. The weight of the princess was just what the boat, which had already been ready to plummet into the water below, needed. It began to tip—slowly at first, and then faster. Hans heard the princess let out a cry, and then he did exactly what he had planned to do all along. Kicking Sitron forward, he had the horse step right into the front of the boat.

  Instantly, the rear of the boat leveled out. Inside, the princess looked up at Hans. Her eyes were wide with amazement, a little bit of shock, and definitely a whole lot of interest.

  Hans smiled. That, he thought, could not have gone better. Princess Elsa of Arendelle was practically his!

  WHAT JUST HAPPENED? Anna asked herself. One minute she was turning around to head back to the castle, and the next moment there was a flash of white and then BOOM! She had fallen into a boat, and now the only thing keeping her from plummeting into the water appeared to be the hoof of a horse. I have enough trouble staying on my feet as it is, Anna thought, rubbing her sore back. It’s not like I need help from a random white beast ridden by who even knows…

  Anna looked up, ready to give the rider a piece of her mind. But when she saw the person sitting astride the white horse, who wasn’t, to be fair, as beastly as she would have first thought, her mind went blank. All she could think was eyes. Beautiful blue eyes that were like deep fjords in the morning sun. Eyes that sparkled. Eyes that mesmerized. Beautiful, beautiful eyes that belonged to what had to be the most handsome man Anna had ever seen.

  Great. This is just great. I get out of the castle for the first time in pretty much forever, and the first thing I go and do is embarrass myself in front of this good-looking stranger. Of course I couldn’t have been gracefully gliding down the dock, looking all mysterious and thought-provoking like Elsa probably would have been. Nope. Not me. Instead I end up on the floor of a boat. Anna sniffed. A rather stinky boat, she added silently. Good job, Anna. Really good job.

  Anna was so caught up in beating herself up that she didn’t even notice that the man was still looking at her. And that he looked rather worried. “I’m so sorry,” he said. “Are you hurt?”

  Even his voice is wonderful! Anna thought. I bet he would be a great singer.

  Realizing he was waiting for an answer, she flushed even redder and stammered, “I—uh, no. No. I’m okay.” If by okay you mean totally mortified, she thought.

  “Are you sure?” the rider asked.

  “Yeah, I just wasn’t looking where I was going,” Anna said, waving her hand in the air as though it were no big deal.

  As she spoke, the rider hopped down from his horse and stepped into the boat. Up close he was even more handsome. And tall, Anna thought. He’s really, really tall. Which is good. I like tall. I think? I mean, I don’t actually know, but I’ll go with that for now. “I’m great, actually,” Anna added out loud.

  Leaning down, the rider offered his hand. “Oh, thank goodness,” he said. Tentatively, Anna reached up and accepted his hand. He gently pulled her to her feet until they were standing face-to-face.

  For a moment, Anna forgot to breathe. She had never been this close to a man her own age before, let alone one as charming as this. It was just like in all those stories she’d read as a gir
l. White horse. Handsome. The only thing left was if he happened to be….

  “Prince Hans of the Southern Isles,” the rider said, introducing himself.

  A prince? Anna nearly laughed.

  Regaining her composure and remembering her manners, Anna dropped into a curtsy. “Princess Anna of Arendelle,” she replied.

  “Princess…?” Hans repeated, sounding shocked and maybe even a little embarrassed. Instantly, the prince dropped to his knees and bowed his head. “My lady.”

  The horse attempted his own version of a bow. Lifting his leg, he curled his hoof under and lowered his head. The problem was it happened to be the hoof that had been holding the boat steady. Instantly the boat began to tip backward. The motion sent Hans tumbling into Anna.

  Realizing what he had done, the horse slammed his hoof back down. The boat snapped back, this time sending Hans flying backward and Anna flying forward. They landed on the floor of the boat, Anna lying on top of Hans.

  “Well, this is awkward,” Anna said, trying not to breathe right into Hans’s face, which, at the moment, was mere inches from her own. “Not you’re awkward, but just because we’re—I’m awkward. You’re gorgeous….” Anna snapped her mouth shut. Had she just said that out loud? She needed to get it together! She was acting like she had never had a conversation in her entire life.

  Gently helping Anna off him, Hans got to his feet and once again held out a hand to Anna. Once she was standing, he said, “I’d like to formally apologize for hitting the princess of Arendelle with my horse…and for every moment after.”

  Aww, Anna thought.

  “It’s fine,” she said. “I’m not that princess. I mean, if you’d hit my sister, Elsa, it would be—” She lowered her gaze and began to pat Hans’s horse. “But, lucky you, it’s…it’s…just me.”